East German State Security (Stasi)

The Stasi was East Germany's secret police agency, operating from 1950 to 1990. They monitored, interrogated, and suppressed political dissent to maintain government control. Using extensive informant networks within society, they gathered intelligence on citizens, often invading personal privacy. The Stasi aimed to eliminate opposition and enforce state ideology, creating an atmosphere of mistrust. Their methods included surveillance, eavesdropping, and psychological pressure. The agency's activities left lasting scars on many East Germans and are remembered as a symbol of oppressive surveillance and loss of personal freedom.